Whether it's giving back, awarding scholarships, creating community, providing innovative solutions, or fostering financial literacy (and so much more), here's how Wisconsin's credit unions supported their members and communities in March.
Giving Back
WESTconsin Credit Union Spring Food Drive kicks off March 13
The WESTconsin Credit Union Spring Food Drive is set to kick off on Monday, March 13 and run through Saturday, March 25. According to a media release from WESTconsin Credit Union, WESTconsin will accept donations of non-perishable food items in offices. The media release from WESTconsin Credit Union says additionally, monetary donations can be made at any WESTconsin office with a teller or through drive-ups. Proceeds are set to be distributed by WESTconsin Credit Union to area food pantries, according to the media release from WESTconsin Credit Union. (WESTconsin Credit Union, 3/1)
RCU Foundation gifts $25,000 to Tri-County Memorial Foundation
The RCU Foundation gifted $25,000 to the Tri-County Memorial Foundation. The gift is in support of the construction of the new Gunderson Tri-County Hospital and Clinics in Whitehall, according to a media release from Royal Credit Union. (Royal Credit Union, 3/3)
Dove Healthcare receives grant from RCU for new learning lab
Training those in the medical field just got a bit easier in the Chippewa Valley. A new virtual learning lab that helps provide education to more students is now open at Dove Healthcare. On Tuesday they received a $17,000 grant from Royal Credit Union to help fund the lab. Paula Gibson, the Director of Healthcare Workforce Institute said that the grant was used to purchase a mannequin, washing station, medical supplies, and virtual equipment.
(Royal Credit Union, 3/7)
Women Build Week benefits Habitat family
A crew of ten women from WESTconsin Credit Union assisted by staff from St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity were engaged in a variety of construction activities helping to build a home for Jessie Koskie and her family in New Richmond. (WESTconsin Credit Union, 3/14) ,
‘We Gotcha Girl’ weekend with the Green Bay Gamblers
Terry Charles stopped by Local 5 Live along with Lynn Marie Hopfensperger from Fox Communities Credit Union with details on the ‘We Gotcha Girl’ night with the Green Bay Gamblers. (Fox Communities Credit Union, 3/16)
Creating Community
Spring fun planned for Beloit
Take heart. Spring is on its way, and there are plenty of activities being planned to usher in the season of blooming flowers and warmer days. The Downtown Beloit Association will host the Easter Eggstravaganza and Spring Wine Walk in April while the outdoor Farmers Market is scheduled to return to downtown streets in May. Add to that the Easter weekend home opener for the Beloit Sky Carp baseball team. (Blackhawk Community Credit Union, First Community Credit Union, 3/23)
Country star Jerrod Niemann to headline free concert at Paperfest 2023
Paperfest presented by Community First Credit Union brings the fun to Sunset Park in Kimberly on July 13-16, 2023. Multi-platinum recording artist Jerrod Niemann will headline a free concert July 14, 2023 at the Paperfest Music Festival in Kimberly. (Community First Credit Union, 3/27)
Supporting Financial Literacy
Altra to host home-buying mixer
Altra Federal Credit Union will host a free event for home buyers on Tuesday, March 28 from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Sports Hub Bar & Grill located at 25 N. Walnut St. in La Crescent, MN. The informative mixer will allow attendees to speak one-on-one with industry professionals to ask questions about the home-buying process. In addition to learning about Altra’s pre-approval process and loan choices, they’ll get answers from home inspectors, builders, realtors, and more. (Altra Credit Union, 3/17)
WESTconsin observing Credit Union Youth Month
Empowering your future doesn’t need to start with much. The first small step is usually the hardest, but once it’s taken, you can use that momentum to unleash your power to save. This year’s theme for National Credit Union Youth Month is “Unleash the Power of Saving at Your Credit Union.” Throughout the month of April, WESTconsin Credit Union wants to help young members learn that they have the power to save for their future, no matter how big or small the amount. (WESTconsin Credit Union, 3/22)
Awarding Scholarships
Summit Credit Union: Fall River couple wins $10,000 in Summit Credit Union’s Project Money
By increasing their family’s savings more than $48,800 and reducing debt by $7,971 in just seven months, Evan and Robin Quilling of Fall River won the 14th season of Summit Credit Union’s Project Money program. The financial challenge awards $10,000 cash grand prize to winning participants each year. (Summit Credit Union, 3/13)
Fostering Excellence
Our Town Oconto: N.E.W Credit Union
Local 5 Live stopped by N.E.W Credit Union as part of Our Town Oconto to see how with a 60-year history in the county, and several locations, the employees and their members see each other as family. In Oconto County, you’ll find N.E.W in Oconto Falls, Oconto, and Suring. They also have a location in Peshtigo in Marinette County. (N.E.W Credit Union, 3/1)
Royal Credit Union awarded $640,000 from grant program
Royal Credit Union is announcing it has been awarded $640,000 from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution Financial Assistance grant program. Royal Credit Union is one of 252 CDFIs, including 73 credit unions, receiving funds, according to the media release from Royal Credit Union. Royal Credit Union intends to use grant funds to increase overdraft protection lines of credit as well as credit cards to underbanked and unbanked individuals, according to the media release from Royal Credit Union. (Royal Credit Union, 3/1)
CFPB appoints new Credit Union Advisory Council members
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced the appointment of new members to the Credit Union Advisory Council (CUAC) and other advisory committees. All new—and existing—members come from CUNA member credit unions. (UW Credit Union, 3/2)
Kim Sponem: Accelerate pay progress for women
Summit Credit Union launched a campaign this year called Equity in Money to accelerate women’s success in reaching pay equity by addressing their educational needs required for higher-paying jobs and their progress in building wealth for a comfortable retirement. (Summit Credit Union, 3/12)
WESTconsin Credit Union annual meeting March 28
WESTconsin Credit Union will hold its 83rd Annual Membership Meeting on March 28, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the Menomonie High School Auditorium located at 1715 5th Street West. During the meeting, Board Chairperson Gerald Wolf will review the Board activities and highlights for 2022, and Lora Benrud, WESTconsin Chief Executive Officer, will review the year’s financial statement and annual report.
(WESTconsin Credit Union, 3/15)
Longtime Green Bay area credit union CEO to retire after 35 years
PCM Credit Union President and CEO Dan Wollin will retire this spring after nearly 35 years in charge of the 65-year-old, Ashwaubenon-based credit union. PCM has named Shelly Mellenberger, PCM's longtime senior vice president, as the new president and CEO. Wollin and Mellenberger announced the change and discussed the transition in a video recently posted to PCM's YouTube channel. The transition is expected to happen in April. (PCM Credit Union, 3/17)
Five Kaukauna businesses among Heart of the Valley Chamber honorees
Five Kaukauna businesses were among those honored at the 2023 Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce award banquet. The annual event recognizes the achievements of the local business community at their awards event held March 15 at Van Abel’s of Hollandtown. (Capital Credit Union, Fox Communities Credit Union, 3/19)
Support For Women Leaders In The Badger State
Five years ago, the league identified a need to create content, offer support, and provide enrichment opportunities for women leaders of any sized credit union. So, it created the Annual Women’s Leadership Summit. Initially launched as an in-person event each March, the pandemic brought the need for a virtual series to the forefront. Now, women leaders in Wisconsin have virtual opportunities to connect throughout the year in addition to the annual summit, which the league relaunched as an in-person event last year. (The League, 3/21)
Meet the 2023 CUES Emerge Cohort
Thirty-six emerging credit union leaders have been selected to move forward with this year’s program. (Royal Credit Union, Educators Credit Union, Superior Choice Credit Union, Community First Credit Union, Altra Federal Credit Union, 3/28)